Antonio Vivaldi, JS Bach and GF Handel are often spoken of in the one breath. Bach and Handel, whilst of German birth, and both born in 1685, never met. And, anyway, Handel moved to the UK in 1712.

Vivaldi, a Venetian, was their elder by less than 10 years, but died in 1741, with Bach outliving him by some nine years, and Handel by around 18.

Vivaldi never met Bach, but might have met Handel in Venice. Nonetheless, they all knew each other’s music. Bach, in particular, was a fan of Vivaldi. And all three were prolific composers.

So, the question arises as to who might have influenced, or even imitated, whom. Here is not the place to make that analysis, but one has only to listen to recognise similarities here and there. In some cases, the similarities are even more than that. Suffice to say that the quality of the outputs of all three were in excellent company with each other.

Which is the long way of asking why Vivaldi’s Vespers is largely ignored for concerts and recordings?

Graeme Morton leads Brisbane Chamber Choir and Players. Photo © Morgan Roberts

Vespers is an...